Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How to Get Cat Poop Smells Out of Carpet: 11 Vet-Verified Quick & Easy Steps

Share

cat looking a pee on the floor

Although cats groom themselves thoroughly and typically don’t miss the litter box, accidents happen occasionally. Cat feces can sometimes be tricky to get out, especially if it has dried. If you need a solution, the good news is that it’s not too difficult and you probably already have all the necessary supplies.

However, if it’s occurred repeatedly in the same spot, you might need a booster to eliminate the smell. We will go over an inexpensive cleaning method to remove the stain. If you need extra help, we’ll discuss how to remove advanced stains, too. Let’s get down to it.

divider 1 paws

divider 3 paws

How to Effectively Clean Up Cat Messes, Odors & Stains 

The first part of cat mess prevention is ensuring you are taking the time to properly clean any accidents -  and that starts with investing in the right products! Of course, you'll want to opt for something safe first and foremost, to protect your feline's health, but secondly, you'll need a solution powerful enough to lift the toughest, stinkiest, most set-in stains. After careful consideration, we fell in love with one product and highly recommend it to all pet owners! 

Our Favorite Enzyme Cleaner 

Image Product Details
Best Enzyme Spray
Winner
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
  • All-purpose
  • Pet-safe
  • Multi-surface safe
  • There are several reasons we can't get enough of the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray.  It permanently removes the very worst smells and stains, it can be used on a multitude of surfaces and its neutral scented, meaning no odor masking! It comes in a generous 32-oz bottle and comes with 100% satisfaction guarantee. Learn more about this holy grail of a cleaner here!

    At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool cat company!

    How To Get Rid of Cat Poop Smell in Carpet in 11 Steps

    1. Get Your Supplies

    You won’t need many supplies to get started, but make sure to gather these supplies:
    • Rubber gloves
    • Paper towels or rags
    • A plastic bag or waste bin
    • A premixed solution of dish soap and white vinegar
    • Vacuum
    • Enzyme Cleaner
    • Baking soda

    2. Try Not to Let it Dry on the Carpet

    Put on your gloves before removing the waste. Cat poop can carry bacteria and parasites that can make people sick if accidentally ingested. Once you have all of your supplies ready and your gloves on—you’re good to go!

    Try to get to it before it air dries (if you can). The longer the poop sets, the harder it is to remove. The quicker you find it, the more likely you’ll get most of the waste out by picking it up. Getting dried poop out of the carpet can be a little more challenging but still manageable.

    cat near wet spot on carpet
    Photo Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

    3. Get Out as Much as Possible

    Take a cloth or paper towel and pick out as much of the solid matter as possible. The more it’s ground into the carpet, the harder it is to remove. If you leave remnants, your cat can still smell that they’ve used this spot before. A repeat offense is much more likely.


    4. Apply Cleaning Solution

    You can make a simple solution with products you always have around. Use dish soap with no added bleach and a tablespoon of white vinegar. Place the mixture into a spray bottle or bowl. This might be something we’d recommend in a pinch but you will usually get much better results with a pet-friendly enzyme cleaner.

    Try not to use any products with bleach. Bleach could stain your carpet, so you won’t want to risk a color change to the area. Also, bleach doesn’t get rid of cat odors.

    calico cat looking at mess on carpet
    Photo Credit: Kristi Blokhin, Shutterstock

    5. Add the Solution to the Stain

    You should gently pour, spray, or dab the solution over the spot, but try not to get any outside of the affected area. Let the solution settle into the spoiled spot for a few minutes so that it can loosen the poop.


    6. Blot the Area

    Blot up as much of the liquid as you can. You should see the remaining poop lift from the carpet.

    Female hands with rag on carpet
    Image Credit by: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

    7. Repeat Until the Carpet is Clean

    Keep adding solution and blotting until your paper towel or rag is clear. No residue or matter should be left if the carpet is truly clean.


    8. Rinse with Water

    Once you’ve successfully removed the poop, rinse the area lightly with plain tap water to get the concoction out of the carpet. Blot the area once more with a dry cloth or paper towel.

    water-pixabay
    Image Credit by: Arcaion, Pixabay

    9. Wait for the Area to Dry

    Leave the area alone until it dries up. You can even speed up the process by taking a blow dryer to the wet portion.


    10. Sprinkle Baking Soda on the Spot

    Baking soda is a great neutralizer. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and allow it to sit for approximately 1 hour.

    baking soda in a glass bowl
    Image Credit by: NatureFriend, Pixabay

    11. Vacuum

    With a few passes, the vacuum will take up the existing baking soda. The area should be odor and debris-free.

    divider 3 paws

    Products for Difficult Odor

    If your cat is making a habit of using your floor as a litter box, you might run into some residual odors. The good news is that they have products on the market that are specifically formulated to remove tough pet smells, including feces.

    Some other products include:
    • Pet Odor CandlesWho doesn’t love a candle that will fill your home with lovely aromas instead of cat poop smells?
    • DiffusersThey contain formulas that deter cats from going to the bathroom outside of their litter box.
    • Absorbing GelThese gels attract and trap odors to eliminate smells in the air.
    • Solutions Many spray solutions remove the odors you might not smell, but your cat can. This prevents future offenses to your carpet and other household surfaces.
    Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
    • ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular...
    • FOR ANY MESS, ON ANY SURFACE - This pet odor eliminator cleans your carpets, floors, furniture,...
    • FRESH, NATURAL ODOR - Our unique formulation doesn't rely on dangerous or unpleasant chemical...

    divider 1 paws

    Final Thoughts: How to Get Poop Smell Out of Carpet

    Cleaning up cat poop room on the carpet isn’t a task anyone wants to do, but accidents happen. Try to remove the poop before using a cleaner. If this is an ongoing issue, contact your vet. The issue may be related to a behavioral or physical issue.

    Endless pet products are available that remove pet odors from carpet. Shop around to see if you find the miracle product you’re looking for.

    See also:


    Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

    Want content like this delivered to you?

    Sign Up For Our Newsletter

    News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

    * By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.




    How useful was this post?

    Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

    Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

    Your feedback really matters.

    What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

    Join the conversation

    Leave a Reply

    You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


    Talk With A Vet Online

    Peace of mind,
    anywhere, anytime

    Affordable vet advice

    Ask Dr. Paola – Help! My Momma Cat Is Very Thin! (May 18, 2026)

    Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our...

    The Cat Biting Mistakes Most Owners Make (And What Works Instead)

    Cat bites sent more than 400,000 people to emergency rooms in the US each year.1 Not scratches. Bites. And the reason they’re so...

    Do Cats Cause Schizophrenia? Scientists Find a Link – Here’s What It Means

    Being a fierce advocate (and occasional recipient of) mental health support and awareness, the term ‘crazy’ is not one I like to fling...

    One in 100 Cats Gets Diabetes – Here’s How to Catch It Early

    One in every 100 cats develops diabetes.1 That’s not a rare, unlucky condition reserved for cats with obvious health problems. It’s common enough...

    More related

    Black (Melanistic) Bengal Cat Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & Facts

    The black (melanistic) Bengal cat is a beautiful creature, and while they are not as common as their tawny counterparts, they are certainly...

    Do Your Cats Like Wearing Clothes? Vet-Reviewed Ethics of Dressing Cats

    There’s no shortage of cats in clothing on Instagram. Search for that term, and you’ll find cats in everything from holiday costumes to...

    The Cat and the Oven Mitt: Odd Items that Cats Love

    Hi, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller. The Cat Burglar...

    Catster’s Weekly Photo Contest Winners: Best Happy Face (April 23, 2026)

    Every week our team gets the privilege of sorting through our readers photos to choose what cats will win this weeks contest! See...

    Keep reading

    Do Siamese Cats Like Water? Breed Temperament Exposed (Vet-Verified)

    Best known for their vocal nature and intelligence, Siamese cats are the picture of sophistication. A less well-known fact about them is how much they like water. While not all Siamese cats enjoy water to the same extent, many like...

    siamese kitten playing water

    6 DIY Cat Popsicle Recipes (Vet-Approved)

    Popsicles are tasty treats, but they’re usually not safe for cats to eat because they can contain added sugar, artificial colors, and other unhealthy ingredients for cats. Fortunately, you don’t have to feel bad every time you decide to unwrap...

    blue tabby maine coon cat licking homemade ice cream treat popsicle

    10 Best Budget Cat Foods of 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

    Feeding time for your cats can sometimes be tedious; they’re just about the pickiest eaters around, so it’s difficult to find food they’ll willingly eat that’s good for them and that doesn’t require you to take out a second mortgage....

    orange cat eating on an orange bowl

    When to Euthanize a Cat With Liver Failure: Vet-Reviewed Advice

    If you’re considering when the right time is to say goodbye to your cat if they are in liver failure, you are not alone. Knowing when to say goodbye is a heartbreaking decision for any owner, and it can be...

    woman brought her cat to the vet

    5 Signs of Aggression in Cats: Vet-Reviewed Behavior Problems to Watch For

    Aggression is a relatively common feline behavior problem, and it can have several causes, from pets getting a bit too carried away while playing to pain and fear. Feline aggression can be quite serious, it can cause injuries and make...

    Scottish fold cat very angry and aggressive

    Why Do Cats Lick Themselves After You Pet Them? Deciphering Cat Behavior (Vet-Reviewed)

    Cats engage in many behaviors that can leave us scratching our heads and wondering what’s going on. If you’ve found that your cat is doing something you can’t explain, it doesn’t necessarily mean that anything is wrong, though it could...

    cat licking itself close up

    Can You Spay a Pregnant Cat? Vet-Reviewed Risks & Recommendations

    If you’re in a situation where you are asking this question, odds are you either have a rescue on your hands or, somehow, didn’t realize your pet wasn’t spayed—which can happen. When it comes to safety and spaying a pregnant...

    pregnant cat

    Zen Clipper Cat Nail Trimmer (2026 Review)

    Review Summary Nail trimming is an essential part of cat ownership to keep your kitty’s nails in tip-top shape while also protecting your furniture and yourself from unnecessary scratches. But not all nail trimmers on the market are created equal....

    Zen Clipper Cat Nail Trimmer

    Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

    Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.




    Sign up for the Catster Email Newsletter

    Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.